







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Do you feel a bit better now? | |
| Thank you, dear... For helping me to be a liar! | |
| Sorry Mrs. Jones, there is a misunderstanding... | |
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | |
| I think so, at least there is no aggression. | |
| Don't worry Diego, it's not related to you! | |
| I don't think it's a suitable movie for kids, dear. | |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | |
| Because you are in it. | |
| And the buses always arrive on time. | |
| That would be great! Do you think it's possible? | |
| You're right, but he is not only here to fix things... | |
| His name's Sergio. | |
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | |
| Then he finds out he is a robot, not a real kid. | |
| Is it the one with the blue tongue? | |